How to Make Art that Brings Housing Justice
Live History, See Social Change, Experience Community Action, Raise Funds for Grenfell United
This 70 minute performance was developed over the 7 years it took for SPID to successfully sue Grenfell's landlord and raise an unprecedented £4m to restore their neglected council estate theatre, installing ground breaking disabled access in a listed building During this time, Thompson’s performances continued to keep landlord negligence in the public eye. Each new iteration updating audiences on the saga, the title of the shows changed as SPID’s story unfolded. The show has now won 4 star reviews and the Special Award from Fringe Theatre Awards for outstanding contribution using the arts to champion social justice.
This final instalment of the dramatized workshop and interactive talk celebrates SPID’s recent Client of the Year and London Awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects . These wins affirm the incredible achievements of both the 21 year old charity and their inspired architects, Studio Sam Causer . The show was created in collaboration with estate residents and young people and continues to tour estates, museums and theatres. It shares SPID’s inspiring history, includes a Q and A and develops the skills needed to use art for social change.
Tickets are £10 towards SPID’s costs. Half of any money raised by SPID will be donated to Grenfell United.
Age rating: 13+
Trigger warning: References to Grenfell Tower fire and housing negligence, features strong language
Praise for SPID Theatre:
A love letter to estates ★★★★ The Guardian
Next stop must be the Commons ★★★★ The Morning Star
The moral is clear – we can win this! ★★★★ The Big Issue
Demonstrates vibrantly how art can be change ★★★★ Everything Theatre
A passionate defence of social housing ★★★★ The Stage
"The judges were profoundly moved by Helena Thompson’s humanity, resilience and infectious enthusiasm. Helena exemplifies the true agent of change: without access to power or wealth, she brought people together through clarity of vision, courage and an unshakeable belief in a fairer and more inclusive world." - Citation from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), SPID Theatre Client Of The Year Award
"We applaud the extraordinary achievements of Helena Thompson, whose passion, creativity, and unwavering commitment have transformed theatre into a powerful force for social change" Fringe Theatre Special Award
Credits
Performer and Writer - Helena Thompson, Artistic Director of SPID Theatre
Producer - SPID Theatre
Technical Director - Ben Esterson
Remount Director - Maya Nielsen
Original Director - Stephen Bowyer
Previous Remount Directors - Mel Cook, Rachel Grunwald
Set Designer - Aqiong Zhang
Set Assistant - Sean Cleary
Social Media Content Creator - Niki Kinzonzi
Previous Remount Designer - Leonah Alexander-Joseph
Film - Featuring material from films created by SPID for the charity’s Estate Voices, Estate Endz and Step Up programs 2005-2025
Film Editor - Kai Gama
Inspired by - Estate Endz, the Living History program created by Nnenna Samson and Mariana Sastre
Audio - Sylvia Akajioyi, Sean Cleary, Safiye Dizdar, Ivor Flint, Adnan Hemani, Naomi Israel, Taevian Ollivierre, Sophia Ollivierre, Sophia Shreemarti Stewart, Sanna El-Wakili, Michelle Widdrington